Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters Avise endum In my first class in law school at Edinburgh University, the professor who was going to teach us Roman law. welcomed us. He explained that we do very well in our study of law. provided we could do three things well.
We waited for some profound advice. The three things were First. the ability to read. We looked at each other with amusement. We had been reading since we were four or five years old.
we had been admitted to this prestigious law school by reading many books, including in Latin. Of course we could read. The second thing. the ability to write. Our amusement continued.
In my generation in Scotland there was great emphasis on composition. We had answered difficult exams by demonstrating our ability to write essays. The first time I ever did a multiple choice. Answer quiz was at Dallas Theological Seminary. The third thing?
the ability to think. Looking back, I realized how wise this advice was. We were going to be taught to read with critical observation. with razor focused retention and to read quickly. The ability to write with accuracy, clarity, conciseness, and elegance is not an easy skill.
Then we were going to be taught how to think as lawyers. A hundred and fifty of us started first year law. Only one hundred students returned for the second year. What do you think? writing and thinking.
are not always easy. But I want to go back to the requirements of the ability to read. Recently, in an article in The Atlantic magazine, I was taken aback to discover that many college students have never read a book straight through. How did they manage to get into college? A study analyzing 236,000 responses to the American Time Use Survey.
Found that the proportion of Americans who read for pleasure on any given day, fell from twenty-eight percent in two thousand four to sixteen percent in twenty twenty three.
Now, this study looked at people who had read a book, magazine or newspaper, or even listened to an audiobook or read an e-book. In comparison, gambling has become a more common leisure activity than reading a book. Last year, fifty-seven percent of Americans placed a bet. College professors are now confronted with teaching their students how to read. and how to comprehend the text.
Yes, they have to teach college students to read a simple book.
Social media is bombarded with short videos, TikToks, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels. The concentration time of people is becoming shorter. and shorter. According to The Atlantic, Netflix has reportedly told directors and screenwriters. to assume that the audience is not paying attention.
and to constantly remind viewers what's going on. We see this technique also in network news. When people are watching a movie or show on Netflix, They're also scrolling on their iPhone.
Now, none of this encourages thinking and reflection. We are now in what has been called A post literate age. Also, our comprehension is lessened when viewing or reading a digital device rather than reading on paper. When we read, there are fewer distractions. When we watch something on social media there are endless distractions.
Much is dumbed down, sensationalized. and must be reduced to a fifteen second sound bite. This has serious implications for those of us who preach the Bible. My passion in life is to glorify God through the exposition of His Word. But what happens if people do not read?
Fewer and fewer people bring their Bibles to church. One reason is that fewer and fewer preachers preach the Bible.
So, I bring a Bible to church. Also, people's attention span has diminished. Can we really expect people to sit and listen to the preaching of Scripture? and encourage the listener to look at and actually read the text of Scripture? Over the years, Calvary Church has poured thousands of dollars into Bible translation.
We are passionate about everyone in the world having the Bible in their heart language. But this assumes that once the Bible is translated, it's going to be read. Is reading from a page going to be a thing of the past? What about you? Do you actually read the Holy Scriptures?
Do you have to be entertained all the time? Even in the house of God? Are you able to sit quietly for thirty minutes or so and read the word of God, pray over it, meditate on it, reflect on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to apply it to your life. The average American spends many hours each day watching T V, films, social media, and so on.
We who are followers of Jesus Christ must live differently. I'm glad I was brought up in a home where we didn't have T V and were encouraged to read. I've always enjoyed opening a book. sitting quietly and reading it. Try it sometime.
It will quieten your spirit, do wonders for your mind. you will learn to focus, to retain what you read and to think through the implications of what you're reading. Our forefathers sacrificed much. in order that we would have the holy scriptures in our own language. King David said that he delighted in the law of the Lord.
and meditated on it. They A night. When our Lord was tempted by the enemy, we read in Matthew 4. that three times in answer to the devil he said, It is written. It is written.
It is written. So start reading. Your mind will be transformed. and your soul will be nourished. The grass withers.
The flower fades, but the word of our Lord abides forever. Avazando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms.
For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
